Speaker: Dr. Derek Sutherland, VP of R&D at Realta Fusion
Title: An Overview of Realta Fusion’s Research and Development Activities and Commercialization Roadmap
Abstract: Realta Fusion is advancing the axisymmetric magnetic mirror fusion energy concept working in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison where the operational Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM), a simple mirror using two, 17 T HTS magnets made by Commonwealth Fusion Systems, is located. A summary of recent results from WHAM and planned R&D activities will be shared.
Following WHAM, Realta Fusion plans to build a commercial scale, high-field simple mirror called Anvil. This device will serve as a key remaining physics and technology risk-retirement platform operating at full scale, with the primary physics deliverable to demonstrate the stable sustainment of “end-plug” plasma conditions needed for the construction of an axisymmetric tandem mirror fusion pilot plant.
Following the full-scale demonstration of end-plug plasma conditions in Anvil, two end-plugs will be connected to an extended central cell to construct Hammir, an axisymmetric tandem mirror fusion pilot plant (FPP). Technology and engineering requirements for Hammir will be provided and compared to those for Anvil. Hammir will be designed to meet or exceed the requirements for a commercial FPP as defined in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report “Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid” by demonstrating an electric gain Qe > 1 while producing net-electricity Pe,out > 50 MWe for at least three hours continuously. Opportunities for other potential uses of both the Anvil and Hammir devices will be briefly presented as well.